Colposcopy Done?

Updated on December 31, 2009
K.B. asks from Somerville, OH
11 answers

I got a call today in the middle of sleeping ( I work night shift :( ) that my cells were abnormal. They didn't give any other info. Other than I have to come in for a colposcopy and could not wait until my normal OB had an apt at the office (which wasn't until Feb!) They wanted me in asap. :( They also got mad at me...twice...because I asked if I could call them back when I was awake! She got an attitude when I asked and then another chick got an attitude when I called back 3 hours later.
Has anyone had this test done? Was it painful? I am totally freaking out and so worried. I have never had an abnormal pap smear and no family history of cervical cancer/abnormal paps. So no one to get info from.

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C.W.

answers from Cincinnati on

My mother and sister had the same thing it really wasn't painful just discomfort afterwards. We had no history either and both have had paps that have been fine. I had a salse positive once but nothing to deal with afterwards.

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S.E.

answers from Evansville on

I have been a nurse for 35 years and never heard of colposcopy, so I went on line and it seems it is pretty common. I have never believed that any invasion of the body is "common". I just typed it in my search bar and you might want to do the same. I would consider this....when was your last pap and how long has it taken the office to get back to you? If it has been some time I would wonder if they got you mixed up with someone else. As a nurse you know that early detection is the best. Go with your gut feeling on this.....remembering that second opionions are always encouraged by sincere, secure physicians. They have nothing to lose by second opinions.
Your little one sounds pretty normal to me...98% on the good side is pretty darn good.
I would have a hard time with the rudeness of the office staff at your Dr's office and would probably say something to the Dr. about it in a very conversational manner...oh by the way apparently your staff has never worked at night....
Marry Christmas and enjoy your son.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.C.

answers from Indianapolis on

Just a tiny bit painful, its like an extended pap smear where, i think they take a small sample of tissue. I remember it being uncomfortable and a little painful. It is only for a few minutes. Mine ended up being fine - i hope yours is too!

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S.M.

answers from Cincinnati on

I had one done it is no worse than a pap.

M.S.

answers from Columbus on

I had this done over 11 years ago. It felt like a pinch. I had the cryotherapy done, then had to have a "loop". I was very nervous that it would affect my ability to get pregnant since I was a newlywed and looked forward to starting a family. No need to be concerned...conceived my oldest less than 3 months later. Since hubby and I are SUPER fertile, the procedures definitely did not affect me in a negative way. I have also had normal paps ever since.

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C.G.

answers from Indianapolis on

I have gotten one done. It is a pretty short procedure, but you will be very sore for a few days. A lot of times, when cells come back abnormal, they want to do one quickly to rule out anything really bad, which it usually isn't so let yourself relax a little. Like you, I had never had an abnormal before and have no history. There are times, though, that abnormal results come back for no real reason, and nothing bad shows up after the colposcopy. My nurse even shared with me that she gets them every couple of years, but there's no real reason why. They may give you a cream to insert for a little wile just to take care of any bacteria that may be causing it.

I would be concerned with how the office is treating you. You are a client of theirs and they need to understand that that they work for you, not the other way around. I might explain the situation to the front receptionist, that you work nights and you got a call that made you worried when you were too tired to be able to think clearly.

Good luck!

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L.G.

answers from Terre Haute on

Very similar to the pap smear, but with a pinch instead of a scraping sensation. The worst part when I had mine done was the floodlight he had pointed at my thighs made me feel like I was in a tanning bed.

I joke with my doctor about the fact that every other pap smear I have done is bad. I've been diagnosed with mild dysplasia, HPV, and HSIL. And still my latest pap smear came back normal. Don't freak out until someone actually sits you down and uses the words postive and cancer in the same sentence.

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K.T.

answers from Columbus on

I had a colposcopy more than 10 years ago. I don't recall any significant pain from it and my pap smears have been clear ever since. I'm sure you'll do just fine!

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M.B.

answers from Colorado Springs on

I had one done 13 yrs ago. No, it didn't hurt at all, maybe just slight cramping, but nothing significant. It showed severely atypical dysplasia so I had to have cryotherapy (freeze off precancerous areas). Mine was caused from HPV. MANY women have it and almost everyone has been exposed to it. The dangerous kind of HPV causes changes that you cannot see or feel, so you would have no idea it was there. After my cryotherapy, I've had normal pap smears since and that was 13 years ago.

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C.S.

answers from Cleveland on

I had this procedure done about 4 years ago. My doctor numb the area and I did not feel nothing. It only took about 5 minutes or less. I worried myself for weeks and it was a waste of time because since then I have had no abnormal paps. Be Blessed!
About me: I am a newly divorce single mom of 2 beautiful little girls.

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T.P.

answers from Indianapolis on

Hi K.,
I had one and it is not painful. I had some spotting afterwards. If they are telling you to go asap then you should do so. Good Luck.

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